TIPTO Wraps Up Record Year for 'Face2Face' UK & Ireland Agent Events

As TIPTO wraps up its Face2Face events for another year, figures reveal a record-breaking number of agents have joined its supplier members at 35 training events during the year.

Across the 31 roadshow and four SuperShow events held in Y27, 2,037 agents – TIPTO’s highest ever attendance total – have joined 26 suppliers to boost their knowledge and improve their sales conversions. Year 27 has also seen an increase in homeworkers attending events, who now make up 48% of total attendees (previously 42%), and more than half of attendees are completely new to TIPTO (55%; previously 48%).

In addition, to the core roadshow and SuperShow schedule, TIPTO also partnered with supplier member Ambassador Cruise Line, to execute two exclusive onboard lunches across two nationwide locations. A total of 84 agents attended these two events at Liverpool Cruise Terminal and London’s Tilbury Port.

All TIPTO events offer agents the opportunity to pick up the sales tips needed to successfully convert client enquiries into confirmed bookings, these figures show TIPTO’s continued growth year on year and support its position as an important resource for the UK and Irish travel trade.

Vishal Patel, TIPTO Chairman, said: “We’re delighted to have hit a record number of agent attendees in Year 27. To have met and trained 2,037 agents across the year takes us to the highest number of attendees we’ve ever hosted across a total of 35 events – both our roadshow speed dating format and our exhibition style SuperShows.

“The TIPTO management team, alongside all our supplier members, truly believe in the benefits of TIPTO for the travel agent community and we collectively strive to help as many agents as possible achieve success by converting sales. The bar is now set incredibly high, but we’re all ready for the challenge so I’d urge all agents to look out for next year’s events at a regional location near them.”

And the proof of success is in TIPTO’s testimonial feedback from agents, which demonstrates exactly how the tried and tested set up fuels sales for those that implement their learnings. Danny W of Charter Travel attended TIPTO’s Newbury event and “after meeting Michelle, I made my first booking with Exoticca – an £11,000 trip to the Galapagos!”

Debbie from Plan Your World adds: “I'm delighted to say that since returning from the Tilbury ship visit, I have made my very first Ambassador booking! It's a fantastic Fjords cruise for 2027, with our clients travelling in a suite, so we're really pleased to be supporting Ambassador Cruise Line.”

Plus, agents are widening their operator contact base, meeting new suppliers and converting new booking enquiries:

“It was lovely speaking with Graham from Travelpack at TIPTO Nottingham. Following that conversation, and noting the availability they had further out, I’m pleased to say that we made a fantastic booking worth over £18k. And this is our very first Travelpack booking too!” The team at Lincolnshire Co Op Travel, Grantham.

And whilst TIPTO is introducing many new to travel agents to the world of learning, long standing agents are also seeing the benefits. Travel Counsellor, Rachel W speaks positively of her experience: “I attended your Wolverhampton TIPTO event recently and even after 25 years in the industry, I learnt so much! This resulted in me securing a £7,000 booking through USAirtours, which I’d never have thought of if I’d not spoken to Scott on the night. I also have two more big enquiries, so fingers crossed!”

TIPTO also receives great feedback on its event format, with agents noting it works well for them with plenty of implementable selling tips from suppliers supporting conversions. Claire T at Travel by Claire comments: “Thank you for a great night as always, I try to go to TIPTO as it’s a great atmosphere, super friendly and I always learn or pick up something new from the fab suppliers…even after 24 years in the industry!” And Travolosophers’ Gareth H adds: “It was great to see such a good attendance and the format and dinner was spot on. Hope to see you again soon!”

TIPTO events are free to attend for all UK and Irish agents and homeworkers. Agents can register for more information on roadshow and SuperShow events at www.tipto.co.uk. Agents can also complete supplier training online to gain Gold Star status.

TIPTO is currently in its 27^th year of operation with 26 members including: Abercrombie & Kent / Cox & Kings, AmaWaterways, Ambassador Cruise Line, Royalton Hotels & Resorts, CroisiEurope, Do Something Different, DriveAway, Exoticca, Fred.\ Holidays, Gold Medal, Holiday Extras, Hurtigruten, Intrepid, JG Travel Group, Leger Shearings Group, My Booking Rewards, Newmarket Holidays, RateHawk, RCD Hotels, Red Sea Holidays, Scenic & Emerald Cruises, SPL Villas, Titan, Travelpack, USAirtours, and Virgin Voyages.